A Seattle, Washington man was arrested Tuesday morning after an Oregon State Police (OSP) senior trooper discovered approximately 52 pounds of marijuana inside a vehicle during a traffic stop on Interstate 5 near Tualatin. The OSP Drug Enforcement Section is continuing the investigation.
On October 21, 2014 at approximately 2:27 a.m., an OSP senior trooper stopped a rental 2014 Toyota Camry four-door displaying California license plates for a traffic violation northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 290. The vehicle's driver was identified as SANTICHITH LA HOCHINGNAVONG, age 38, from Seattle, Washington. The passenger was identified as a 25-year old Washington man.
Subsequent investigation led the trooper to discover approximately 52 pounds of marijuana in the car's trunk. Estimated value of the seized marijuana is $130,000.
HOCHINGNAVONG was arrested without incident and lodged in the Clackamas County Jail for Unlawful Possession and Distribution of a Controlled Substance - Marijuana.
The passenger was not arrested.
OSP was assisted during the traffic stop by Tualatin Police Department.
Photograph Sources:
Marijuana photo - Oregon State Police
Hochingnavong photo - Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
On October 21, 2014 at approximately 2:27 a.m., an OSP senior trooper stopped a rental 2014 Toyota Camry four-door displaying California license plates for a traffic violation northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 290. The vehicle's driver was identified as SANTICHITH LA HOCHINGNAVONG, age 38, from Seattle, Washington. The passenger was identified as a 25-year old Washington man.
Subsequent investigation led the trooper to discover approximately 52 pounds of marijuana in the car's trunk. Estimated value of the seized marijuana is $130,000.
HOCHINGNAVONG was arrested without incident and lodged in the Clackamas County Jail for Unlawful Possession and Distribution of a Controlled Substance - Marijuana.
The passenger was not arrested.
OSP was assisted during the traffic stop by Tualatin Police Department.
Photograph Sources:
Marijuana photo - Oregon State Police
Hochingnavong photo - Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###